The government announced that 41 biogas cylinder filling and storage plants have received approval, with licenses issued to 14 of them. The Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) processed 467 applications for compressed natural gas (CNG) and compressed biogas (CBG) dispensing stations between March 25 and April 21, granting final licenses in 157 cases. Additionally, 38 prior approvals were given for new CNG/CBG dispensing stations’ construction.
The PESO has implemented various facilitative and safety measures to ensure continuous fuel and gas availability during the current crisis. Temporary storage relaxations were provided for Superior Kerosene Oil (SKO) and PDS kerosene to maintain distribution continuity. To enhance fuel flexibility during disruptions, guidelines were issued for LNG filling in cryogenic cylinders, and a complete export ban on ammonium nitrate was imposed.
In efforts to expedite infrastructure augmentation, the PESO directed the time-bound disposal of applications for CNG stations and decompression units within 10 days. Furthermore, permissions were granted for LPG unloading at Porbandar jetty to address immediate supply constraints. The ministry also uploaded a list of PESO-approved container manufacturers and capacities for PDS kerosene and diesel supply for enhanced transparency.
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is actively implementing regulatory and facilitative measures to ensure industrial continuity and supply chain stability amidst the evolving West Asia situation. These measures focus on maintaining fuel and essential inputs availability while addressing operational challenges faced by the industry.
